Systems and methods for staking a corner for construction

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method and system for forming and laying out a substantially perfect ninety degree angle that is used to form the corner of a construction footprint.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. non-provisional application claiming priorityunder 35 U.S.C. 120 and 119(e) to U.S. provisional application No.63/237,718, filed Aug. 27, 2021. The disclosure of this priorityapplication is incorporated herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a non-electronic system and method forstaking a corner at a specific angle for construction layout.

BACKGROUND

To begin a construction project, the footprint of the structure must belaid out. To lay out the structure, the contractor starts in one corneror fulcrum point of the structure. The other corners and the sides ofthe structure are then measured from the fulcrum point.

Often the measurements from the fulcrum point are made with electronicdevices for accuracy. Using an electronic device is not, however, alwayspossible.

Making the subsequent measurements via mechanical or non-electricalmeans often leads to inaccurate angles when, for instance, the structureplan calls for a ninety degree angle at the corner. Too, forming theperfect ninety degree angle is tedious and time consuming, requiringmultiple trial and error retries.

For these and other reasons, the present disclosure is directed to easy,simple, and non-electronic systems and methods for measuring, forming,and laying out a construction footprint. Specifically, the presentsystems and methods enable a user to stake out a substantially perfectninety degree angle quickly. In doing so, the present systems andmethods provide increased confidence, reliability, and accuracy in themeasuring of the footprint of a structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are included to meet these andother needs.

One embodiment of the present disclosure comprises three stakes andthree cables, the first cable connected to the first and second stakesat opposing ends of the first cable, the second cable connected to thesecond and third stakes at opposing ends of the second cable, the thirdcable connected to the third and fist stakes at opposing ends, whereineach of the three cables is drawn taut and all three of the cables forma substantially horizontal plane relative to the ground.

In a further embodiments, each end of each of the first, second, andthird cables comprises an insert. In the preferred embodiment, theinsert is steel.

In some embodiments, the insert is a loop formed to have a hole. Furtherembodiments comprise holes of three-quarter inch diameter.

In some embodiments each of the first, second, and third cables have afixed length. In further embodiments the fixed length of the first cableis forty feet, the fixed length of the second cable is twenty feet, andthe fixed length of the third cable is forty-four feet eight andeleven-sixteenths inches.

In one embodiment a ninety degree angle is formed by the system andmethod.

In one embodiment, a first stake is planted at a fulcrum pivot point andthe first and third cables are connected to the first stake. Theopposite end of the first cable and one end of a second cable areengaged to a second stake. The opposite end of the second cable and asecond end of the third cable are attached to a third stake. The secondstake is pulled in a direction away from the first stake until the firstcable is taut and substantially horizontal relative to the ground, andthen the first stake is set at a desired location along the radiusformed by the taut and substantially horizontal first cable. The thirdstake is then extended to a position such that the second cable andthird cable are taut and in the same horizontal plane as the taut andsubstantially horizontal first cable, and then fixing the third stake inthat position. In some embodiments the step of pulling the second stakein a direction away from the first stake is performed prior to the stepof attaching the second cable and the third cable to the third stake.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch of the angle layout system.

FIG. 2 is a sketch of one embodiment of the tags used to label thecables.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the method for laying out the angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings,wherein:

Referring to FIG. 1 , the construction layout system 10 is embodied as afirst stake 20, a second stake 30, and a third stake 40. A first cable50 is connected to the first stake 20 at a first end 52 and to thesecond stake 30 at a second end 54. A second cable 60 is engaged to thesecond stake 30 at a first end 62 and to the third stake 40 at a secondend 64. A third cable 70 is attached to the third stake 40 at a firstend 72 and to the first stake 20 at a second end 74.

In some embodiments, the stakes 20, 30, 40 are pieces of rebar. In otherembodiments the stakes 20, 30, 40 are made of wood, plastic, and/ormetal.

In some embodiments, the cables 50, 60, 70 are formed from braided wire.In other embodiments, the cables 50, 60, 70 are made of string, wire,cords, chains, or any other material known in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, each first end 52, 62, 72 and each secondend 54, 64, 74 is formed as an insert 56, 66, 76 that slips over thestakes 20, 30, 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, eachfirst end 52, 62, 72 and each second end 54, 64, 74 may be secured tothe stakes 20, 30, 40 by tying, nailing, screwing, or any other means offastening known in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the inserts 56, 66, 76 are rigid loops thathave a roughly circular shape as shown in FIG. 1 . The rigid loops maybe made of steel, plastic, wood, or any other material with sufficientstiffness to hold the roughly circular shape so that a stake may passthrough the insert and anchor a cable end to the stake. In otherembodiments, the inserts 56, 66, 76 are not rigid loops.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a tag 58, 68, 78 is fixed to each cable 50, 60,70, respectively. Each tag 58, 68, 78 comprises a written and/orpictorial representation of the identity, length, and/or placement inthe system 10 of the cable 50, 60, 70, respectively, to which it isfixed, as is depicted in FIG. 2 .

In one embodiment, the first cable 50 is forty feet long, the secondcable 60 is twenty feet, and the third cable is forty-four feet eightand eleven-sixteenths inches such that when all three cables 50, 60, and70 are taut and secured to stakes 20, 30, and 40, an angle D that isformed between the first cable 50 and the second cable 60 is ninetydegrees.

In other embodiments, each cable 50, 60, 70 is pre-cut and/or formed toa specific length based on the angle D that the user desires. Therequired lengths of the cables 50, 60, 70 to achieve the desired angle Dis determined by mathematical formulas known in the art. The angle Dcould practically range from greater than zero degrees to less than onehundred eighty degrees.

FIG. 3 depicts the method 100 for using the construction layout system10. In the preferred embodiment, the steps are planting 100 the firststake 20 at a fulcrum pivot point 15, as shown in FIG. 1 ; connecting110 the first end 52 of the first cable 50 and the second end 74 of thethird cable 70 to the first stake 20; engaging 120 the second end 54 ofthe first cable 50 and the first end 62 of the second cable 60 to thesecond stake 30; attaching 130 the second end 64 of the second cable 60and the first end 72 of the third cable 70 to the third stake 40;pulling 140 the second stake 30 in a direction away from the first stake20 until the first cable 50 is taut and substantially horizontal;setting 150 the second stake 30 to a desired location (not shown) alonga radius formed by the length of the taut and substantially horizontalfirst cable 20; extending 160 the third stake 40 to a position (notshown) such that the second cable 60 and the third cable 70 are taut androughly in a same horizontal plane (not shown) as the taut andsubstantially horizontal first cable 50; and fixing 170 the third stake70 at the position.

The three cables 50, 60, 70 need not be in the exact same horizontalplane but rather only need to be in roughly, nearly, approximately, orabout the same horizontal plane.

In other embodiments, the steps of pulling 140 the second stake 30 in adirection away from the first stake 20 until the first cable 50 is tautand substantially horizontal and setting 150 the second stake 30 to adesired location (not shown) along a radius formed by the length of thetaut and substantially horizontal first cable 20 are performed prior tothe step of attaching 130 the second end 64 of the second cable 60 andthe first end 72 of the third cable 70 to the third stake 40.

In an embodiment of the method that forms angle D into a ninety degreeangle, after the step of fixing 170 the third stake 70 at the position,a square is formed by using the third cable 40 as a line of symmetry;moving the second stake 30 from the desired location to a pointkitty-corner the line of symmetry such that the first cable 50 and thesecond cable 60 are taut and roughly in the same horizontal plane as thethird cable 70.

In some embodiments, each cable 50, 60, 70 is stored when not in use.Each cable 50, 60, 70 can be stored by spooling each cable 50, 60, 70round a splint, cone, rod, wheel, or other suitable device. In otherembodiments, each cable 50, 60, 70 is wound and stored in a box orclipped with a pin, tie, band, or other suitable device to preventunwinding during storage.

The above embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice what is claimed and it is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical,mechanical, and electrical changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the claims. The detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the presently describedsubject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding theexistence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recitedfeatures. Specified numerical ranges of units, measurements, and/orvalues include, consist essentially or, or consist of all the numericalvalues, units, measurements, and/or ranges including or within thoseranges and/or endpoints, whether those numerical values, units,measurements, and/or ranges are explicitly specified in the presentdisclosure or not.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first”,“second”, “third”, and the like, as used herein do not denote any orderor importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element fromanother. The term “or” and “and/or” is meant to be inclusive and meaneither, all, or any combination of the listed items. In addition, theterms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical ormechanical connections or couplings, and can include electricalconnections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Direct connectionand/or coupling can include such connections and/or couplings where nointermittent connection or component is present between two endpoints,components or items. Indirect connection and/or coupling can includewhere there is one or more intermittent or intervening connectionsand/or couplings present between respective endpoints, components oritems.

Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments“comprising”, “including”, or “having” an element or a plurality ofelements having a particular property may include additional suchelements not having that property. The term “comprising” or “comprises”refers to a composition, compound, formulation, or method that isinclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components, and/ormethod steps. The term “comprising” also refers to a composition,compound, formulation, or method embodiment of the present disclosurethat is inclusive and does not exclude additional elements, components,or method steps. The phrase “consisting of” or “consists of” refers to acompound, composition, formulation, or method that excludes the presenceof any additional elements, components, or method steps.

The term “consisting of” also refers to a compound, composition,formulation, or method of the present disclosure that excludes thepresence of any additional elements, components, or method steps. Thephrase “consisting essentially of” or “consists essentially of” refersto a composition, compound, formulation, or method that is inclusive ofadditional elements, components, or method steps that do not materiallyaffect the characteristic(s) of the composition, compound, formulation,or method. The phrase “consisting essentially of” also refers to acomposition, compound, formulation, or method of the present disclosurethat is inclusive of additional elements, components, or method stepsthat do not materially affect the characteristic(s) of the composition,compound, formulation, or method steps.

Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification andclaims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation thatcould permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basicfunction to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a termor terms, such as “about”, and “substantially” is not to be limited tothe precise value specified. In some instances, the approximatinglanguage may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuringthe value. Here and throughout the specification and claims, rangelimitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges areidentified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unlesscontext or language indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “may” and “may be” indicate a possibility ofan occurrence within a set of circumstances; a possession of a specifiedproperty, characteristic or function; and/or qualify another verb byexpressing one or more of an ability, capability, or possibilityassociated with the qualified verb. Accordingly, usage of “may” and “maybe” indicates that a modified term is apparently appropriate, capable,or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while takinginto account that in some circumstances, the modified term may sometimesnot be appropriate, capable, or suitable.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used individually, together,or in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications maybe made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings ofthe subject matter set forth herein without departing from its scope.While the dimensions and types of materials described herein areintended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, theyare by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many otherembodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe above description. The scope of the subject matter described hereinshould, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled.

This written description uses examples to disclose several embodimentsof the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, andalso to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice theembodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using thedevices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope ofthe subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art.Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims ifthey have structural elements that do not differ from the literallanguage of the claims, or if they include equivalent structuralelements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages ofthe claims.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-electronic, construction layout system forforming a right angle, the system comprising: a first stake, a secondstake, a third stake, a first cable, a second cable, a third cable, anda means for laying out a corner for construction without usingelectronic equipment so that an ninety-degree angle is formed, whereineach of the first cable, the second cable, and the third cable have afirst end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first cable isengaged to the first stake and the second end of the first cable isengaged to the second stake, wherein the first end of the second cableis engaged to the second stake and the second end of the second cable isengaged to the third stake, and wherein the first end of the third cableis engaged to the third stake and the second end of the third cable isengaged to the first stake, wherein each of the first stake, the secondstake, and the third stake is secured such that each of the first cable,the second cable, and the third cable is taut and form a substantiallyhorizontal plane.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first end andthe second end of each of the first cable, the second cable, and thethird cable comprises an insert.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein theinsert is a loop having a hole.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein thehole has a diameter of about three-quarters of an inch.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the insert comprises steel.
 6. The system of claim 3,wherein the first cable is a fixed length A, the second cable is a fixedlength B, and the third cable is a fixed length C.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the fixed length A is forty feet, the fixed length B istwenty feet, and the fixed length C is forty-four feet eight andeleven-sixteenths inches.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein a tag isfixed to each of the first cable, the second cable, and the third cable,the tag comprising a written description of the identify and the fixedlength A, B, or C of the cable to which it is fixed.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first cable is a fixed length A, the second cableis a fixed length B, and the third cable is a fixed length C.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the fixed length A is forty feet, the fixedlength B is twenty feet, and the fixed length C is forty-four feet eightand eleven-sixteenths inches.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein a tagis fixed to each of the first cable, the second cable, and the thirdcable, the tag comprising a written description of the fixed length A,B, or C of the cable to which it is fixed.
 12. A non-electronic methodfor laying out a structure having a right angle, the method comprising:planting a first stake at a fulcrum pivot point, connecting a first endof a first cable and a second end of a third cable to the first stake,engaging a second end of the first cable and a first end of a secondcable to a second stake, attaching a second end of the second cable anda first end of a third cable to a third stake, pulling the second stakein a direction away from the first stake until the first cable is tautand substantially horizontal, setting the second stake to a desiredlocation along the radius formed by a length of the taut andsubstantially horizontal first cable, extending the third stake to aposition such that the second cable and the third cable are taut androughly in a same horizontal plane as the taut and substantiallyhorizontal first cable, and fixing the third stake at the position. 13.The method of claim 12, wherein the first end and the second end of eachof the first cable, the second cable, and the third cable comprises aninsert.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the insert is a loop formedto have a hole.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the steps ofconnecting, engaging, and attaching each comprise inserting the stakethrough the insert.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first cableis a fixed length A, the second cable is a fixed length B, and the thirdcable is a fixed length C.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fixedlength A is forty feet, the fixed length B is twenty feet, and the fixedlength C is forty-four feet eight and eleven-sixteenths inches.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein a tag is fixed to each of the first cable,the second cable, and the third cable, the tag comprising a writtendescription of the identify and the fixed length A, B, or C of the cableto which it is fixed.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the steps ofpulling the second stake and extending the third stake form a ninetydegree angle between the first cable and the second cable.
 20. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the steps of pulling the second stake in adirection away from the first stake until the first cable is taut andsubstantially horizontal and fixing the second stake to a desiredlocation along the radius formed by the taut and substantiallyhorizontal first cable are performed prior to the step of attaching asecond end of the second cable and a first end of a third cable to athird stake.